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Grace Cathedral

Grace Cathedral is an Episcopal church in San Francisco. A house of prayer for all people, and a center for social justice, the arts and service.

The Rev. Anna Rossi

Living Faithfully with COVID-19

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We journey through Lent, now as we shelter in place in San Francisco and wherever you may be. The Rev. Anna Rossi shares her insight, reminding us of eternal hope and going back to the basics, as we navigate unexpected circumstances together.

This time is being described with a torrent of superlatives. They are not inaccurate. But for every unprecedented event or era, there is also [some] precedent.

The Exodus, the Black Plague and the Spanish Flu. In more recent memory, the AIDS epidemic, and the Ebola epidemics and world health emergencies in West Africa and Congo sickened many and took many lives, in contexts with far fewer resources than we have.

And through all of these, people of all kinds live faithfully. So today, faith in God is our Hope; not only God out there and beyond, but the Incarnate God who is always and everywhere present, working through ordinary people like us. Faith in God is our hope, and faith is also our teacher.

But I have to make room to learn. When things get (really) complicated, I go back to basics. Words of mostly one syllable that I can hold it one hand: Eat. Sleep. Pray. Move. Connect. In this time, I might add: quarantine the phone for at least 30 minutes per day.

Join me in living faithfully with COVID-19.

Love, Anna

A Prayer for When We Miss the Sacraments

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We believe God shows up with outward, physical signs, not just spiritual “ether,” so church can be totally disorienting without the gathering, and without the symbols and mysteries of our tradition. Here’s how the Rev. Anna Rossi is praying about sacraments and absence:

O Christ, in the this time without water,
make us glisten with the baptism of rebirth;
without Bread, satisfy us with spiritual food;
without Wine, let us taste your sweet presence.
Nourish us in this Lenten desert
until at last we feast in the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Amen.

By the Rev. Anna Rossi, Succentor

Interfaith Understanding in Israel and Palestine

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The Israeli/Palestinian conflict is among the most intractable in modern history. The “peace deal” put forth by the White House offers dim hope for a just and lasting resolution to the conflict. Whatever the shape of a just solution, it must involve dialogue and compromise by all parties, to bring about peace and security for all people in the region.

At Grace this is the year of building bridges — bridges toward justice, reconciliation and mutual understanding. Work with us to strengthen understanding between these two ancient faiths.

Explore the Israeli/Palestinian conflict with Grace

Sunday, February 2 at 9:30 p.m. The Forum with Dr. Rani Jaeger, the head of the Ritual Center at the Shalom Hartman Institute on the current political climate in Israel and Palestine, and how the U.S. plays a part. Dr. Jaeger is a guest preacher at the 11 a.m. Eucharist. Free and open to all.

Wednesday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m. Combatants for Peace: An Interfaith Workshop at the World Affairs Council, an evening of honest and thoughtful discussion with Bay Area interfaith clergy leaders, along with two CfP activists — one from Israel, one from Palestine — to participate in a discussion about the impact of the work being done by activists to bring about peace and civil society in Israel and Palestine. Co-sponsored by Combatants for Peace, Grace Cathedral and World Affairs Council. Free but RSVP.

Friday, July 3 to Monday, July 13: 2020 Holy Land Pilgrimage, a transformative pilgrimage to the Holy Land, led by the Rev. Canon Mark Stanger.

Annual Meeting Recap

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Thanks to everyone who attended the Annual Meeting of the Congregation on Sunday, January 27. So much happened in the Year of Truth, and so much is planned for the Year of the Body. Gresham was filled with energy as we gathered to remember and to learn. The 2019 Annual Report can be found here.

In his report to the congregation, Bishop Marc Andrus emphasized diocesan efforts in racial justice and the distinct character of that work in the multi-ethnic Bay Area. This theme will be reflected in the 2019 Convention Eucharist, to be led by Native American Episcopalians. Equally important are diocesan efforts toward carbon reduction. As the cathedral, we have a particular responsibility to get involved! Learn more and sign up at http://www.sustainislandhome.org/.

Dean Malcolm Young highlighted the strategic growth that occurred in 2018, including: 50+ youth at the MLK overnight (Mary Carter Greene); forums, marches and interfaith vigils for justice led by Ellen Clark-King; and the integration of the yoga community, as well as groundbreaking Vine services such as the Beyoncé Mass (Jude Harmon) that open our doors to a broader community.

Other cathedral leaders such as Board President David Walker, Congregation Council President Christine Bensen, and Deanery Co-Convener Karma Quick-Panwala enriched the picture of Grace, its people, and its impact on the wider Church, the community, and the world. Together we watched a video about contributions from our Truth Book from congregants and visitors. Watch the video at https://gracecathedral.org/TruthVideo

We honored outstanding and beloved congregants. Helen Borgan and Regan Murphy received the Dean and Chapter Award for their longstanding and generous leadership across many ministries. Marisa Hurtado’s crucial contributions in growing The Vine community were recognized with the Office of the Congregation Award.

We also gave thanks for the tireless service of Cathedral Deacon Nina Pickerrell, and look forward to celebrating her ministry at Pentecost, Sunday, June 9.

We elected representatives to governing and advisory bodies, and welcome our new trustees, councilors, and deanery delegates:

Congregational Trustees: Tricia Weaver Moss, Rosemary Turner, Arthur Yeap

Congregation Council: Torrie Fields, Steph McNally, Marc Priester, David Robinson, and Lisa S. Wong

Deanery Delegation: Niall Battson, Joe Garity, Ron Hermanson, Ron Johnson, Jean Krasilnikoff, Karma Quick-Panwala, Barbra Ruffin-Boston

MLK 2019: We’re In this Together

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Join Grace Cathedral in celebrating the vision of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Grace Cathedral is participating in the events below.

 

Interfaith Service on Sunday, January 20 at 3 p.m. Local faith leaders, guest preacher  Dr. Andrea White, Union Theological Seminary, and the Edwin Hawkins Singers.

The Faith and King Forum on Sunday, January 20 at 4:15 p.m. A panel organized around the MLK2019 theme, moderated by Dr. Clayborne Carson, Founding Director of the MLK Research and Education Institute at Stanford University.

MLK@Grace Youth Overnight on Sunday, January 20 at 5 p.m.  Youth from Northern California gather for an overnight of fellowship and discussion and then join the Monday MLK March.

MLK March and Parade on Monday, January 21  at 9:30 a.m. Join diocesan youth and local faith communities in this annual march honoring MLK that begins at San Francisco Caltrain Station and culminates in an interfaith service at Yerba Buena Gardens.